Elder & Sister Dattage: "Great people with limited things"

May 30, 2016

Hi all,

Thanks for the birthday wishes, texts and calls. You are all so wonderful.

I think it is colder in New Mexico than in Utah right now. They all say that is good because as soon as it is warm we get a lot of mosquitoes. Yikes sounds fun.

We certainly have had some good visits this week. Some times when you visit some one and they just needed a visit you are so glad you were there. That happens a lot here. They are down a lot because of lack of money to pay lights, water and other things. They know they should be self reliant but they often struggle with that. Great people with limited things.

Monday was fun. The Salts. Young Elders and we went to get a load of wood for them and we took hot dogs and marshmallows. First cook out of the year. It was yummy and we had fun and listened to their stories. Their missionary daughter comes home in a month and they are so excited. So uplifting to here their good stories. They are very spiritual. Brother Salt said that one time he was wood cutting with previous Senior Missionaries. He was ready to cut a tree down and saw the missionary standing right behind him. He prayed that the tree wouldn’t fall and crush him . It stood up until the man could move then it fell. The power of prayer is in our everyday lives. We use it then we should ponder our blessings. They happen for good reasons. So blessed.

Elder Dattage has been fixing Marie’s things since we got here. Now he will reinstall a seat belt it we can find the right one to fit. Bless her heart she orders from the junk yards to get her parts because her car is very old and can’t get them any other way. Wish him luck on this one.

Of course we went to the homes on the Visit Teaching list. Vanissa is the best visiting teacher I have seen. She wants to go back until she gets them which isn’t easy in Zuni. She is a good one for sure. Love going with her because most of the people we visit have not had a visiting teacher ever before and they are so nice to welcome us in. I always take thought cards from Carolyn so she has a message from them.

We met with President Walker to come up with a Zuni Branch Mission He likes what the Relief Society is doing with their visiting and is working with the men. The problem is that there are so few men that are members They have to work overtime to help everyone that needs helped. Down here it is evident why we needs Home Teachers and Visiting Teachers to help each other. Just another blessing in the lives of all of us.

We had a meeting with President Haws during the week. He is a good Stake President. He tries to help Branches and Wards and it is a challenge. He wants them to become self reliant but knows of the problems. He works hard and loves the people down here. I am impressed that he meets with the Zone leaders from the young Elders and Elden and I each month to get feed back from what he sees we need and to have us help him with the things we see on our end. He works so well with everyone. We really think a lot of that man.

We were invited to Vivian Hatte for breakfast on Friday. This was the menu: scrambled eggs, fried eggs, pancakes, sausage, bacon, biscuits and gravy, three juices, milk. That was a feast. She is the only member in her family but her daughters and husband are always there and listen to the Elders teach. They are a good family. They make me homesick because they laugh, talk and eat. That is very familiar to the Dattage Family at home. Love all of them. Sure enjoyed talking to you on my birthday. Loved the text messages and also the cards and gifts. Still laughing at the card Jill Cazier sent. Thanks to all. Thanks to our family for the fun gift of getting away one night and enjoying a meal and shopping. We went Friday night and went to dinner. On Saturday we went to the flee market which we have been wanting to attend. It was fun and we picked up a few things. Our neighbors the Pawyas were there selling their bread. We had much better talks with them there than we do at home because Jim is always too busy to talk. Great people.

Before we left on Friday sister Vivian ask Elden and I to help her prepare a talk for Church on Sunday on Self Reliance. We spent time with her and she had great personal ideas. As we were leaving , President Walker called Elden and ask him to talk on Sunday on Self Reliance. We laughed because we gave Vivian our best ideas. However both Elden and Vivian did wonderful jobs today in church as they taught this important principle. I was in Primary music. I just know Janie and Jill are laughing at this. However somehow with Kim sending me ideas on what would be fun to do I make it through this. I even lead a bit. I think I am getting extra help with that one. Today it was music leader, baby tender and 2 year old tender. Sister Walker and I with her teachers made it through and the kids are adorable. What a blessing it is to work in all of the organization at once. We are constantly reaching out and learning more and expecting more of ourselves with the help of the Lord

We have had two unusual things this week. First the neighbors in the trailer in front of us were drunk and the lady came over for help because her son had been drinking. We got her some help and he came back , said he was sorry and what else. They the Pawya bakery grandson were out their last night with friends drinking. They are very close to our window. Honking horns, laughing and yelling. So grateful for the good people here that lift us up and more for the Word of Wisdom. .

We hate missing such good things at home. The walk for Jaxon was one that was hard to miss. Our family surrounding him in love. Kendal winning the race. We do love that little boy. Plays, dance reviews, graduations, soccer games,Wellsville Mile runners, lots of good grade certificates, golf tournaments, t-ball games, reading awards assemblies, Emma just being so funny and cute, grandsons going to BYU and seeing the school as they grow up into such amazing young men. Grandsons getting the highest score in their school on a test and working so hard in school. These are the things we miss but I can assure you that we are being blessed so much. We pray the blessings we receive trickle down to our whole family. This week Jodi sent Temple clothes and Jill and Jodi sent a Temple dress and we took them to a sister down here. Her tears were very touching as she realized what all of this meant. Primary ideas come on over e-mail and help me so much and little requests to her about end of school things for kids. When I ask Jodi about flowers for memorial day she said no worries already done. The family would take them as usual. The Watrins send pictures of the ranch as they work hard to keep it up. That makes Elden feel so good not to worry. I felt so blessed to have the family the Lord blessed us with. Everyone of them. It is such a blerssing to have this wonderful family. Love every picture that Ryan Lance send to show us more truck work. They never tell us about the no sleep and such but just how much they love this. We feel blessed to have this opportunity in Zuni. We love these people and they are blessing our lives. We love our friends and family and they are blessing our lives. This is the Lords work and it is a privilege to be a part of it. Love all of you. Enjoy the beginning of summer and getting out of school.

Can’t wait to hear the summer stories – let the fun begin. Love all of you,

Elder and Sister Dattage